iPhone Stolen Device Protection feature has a loophole; how to fix it

Recently, Apple’s Stolen Device Protection for iPhone made headlines for making the devices more or less theft-proof. The feature, which was introduced with the iOS 17.3 update, protects your phone from being accessed if someone has a hold of your password.

However, in an X (formerly Twitter) post, popular technology YouTuber ThioJoe observed how this feature has a setback that could be compromising it. However, he even goes on to mention how it can be rectified.

iPhone Stolen Device Protection feature loophole: What's there to know

Typically, the new feature works by securing a stolen iPhone using Face ID or Touch ID authentication before allowing the user to change or modify any passwords on the device.

It also sets in a mandatory one-hour delay before anyone can secure any of these changes. The cool-down period can help users report or mark the device lost before any changes are made to the iPhone.

ALSO READ: How to enable Stolen Device Protection on your iPhone, and why you should

However, in the post, ThioJoe notes that if a user has Significant Locations enabled, they won’t be able to utilise the extra layers of security. According to Apple, a location is deemed ‘significant’ once a user begins to frequent it.

It further uses this data for Journal suggestions, memories and photos. Apart from this, Apple now also uses this for Stolen Device Protection. ThioJoe additionally states how users have no control over Significant Locations, and the protection features are nullified the moment your iPhone finds itself there.

Apple Stolen Device Protection: How to address the fatal flaw

For now, until Apple brings about a more solid solution, the only workaround involves turning off Significant Locations within your iPhone Settings.

Open the Settings app on your smartphone and navigate to Privacy & Security > Location Services > Significant Locations. On toggling the feature off, your iPhone will prompt a user with Face or Touch ID when the Stolen Device Protection feature is on. While this only qualifies as a temporary fix, Apple might make changes to improve this feature with its future updates.